Conductor laying machine



April 4, 1944. A. E. FREEMAN CONDUCTOR LAYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 6, 19402 Sheets-Sheet 1 NM Mm la y mm Qm wk hm k INVENTOR y? 7 ATTORNE April1944. A. E. FREEMAN CONDUCTOR LAYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 6, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 2 n m WOW 6 n N R m A INVENTOR .1271? MM a Patented Apr. 4,1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONDUCTOR LAYING;MAGHINE Albert EdwardFreeman, South Orange, .N. 1;, as-

signor to American Telephone and Telegraph Company, a corporation ofNewYork Application December 6, 1940, Serial No. 368,807

3 Claims.

This invention relates to machines such as plows which are adapted tolay cables or'wires beneath the surface of the ground.

It is an object of thisinventionto provide an arrangement of the abovecharacter which is capable of forming furrows or trenches in the groundand laying cables or wires therein as the machine advances.

In accordance with this invention a truck or tractor-drawn machine orplow is provided with a coulter for the preliminary opening of theground in front of a plowshare. The plowshare is adjustedto entertheground and form a trench thereinof a desired depth. Reels of cable orwire are carried by the plow or maybe carried by a towing truck ortrailer, and the cable or Wire from these reels is simultaneously fedthrough guide channels formed in the plowshare into the trench at thesame rate ofspeed as the rate at which the plow advances.

The invention will b more fully understood from thefollowingdetaileddescription, when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which one embodiment thereof is 11- lustrated.

Referring to the drawings: v

Figure 1 is aside elevation of theimproved machine, showing theplowshare with its associated elements in operating positions.

Fig. 2 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 1, but with the various elements of'the'machine'shown in carried orraised positions.

Fig; 3 is a sectional view, taken'on theline 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing thepivotal connection between the main plow frame, plowshare beam and thecoulter frame.

Fig. 4 is. a section,.taken on theline 4-4 of Fig. 1, of a hand winchpositioned on the-front of the, plow by which the plowshare is raisedfrom the ground.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation; oftheimproved device.

Fig. 6 isa sectional View. of the coulter frame and associated elementstaken. on the line E6 of Fig. 1.

Fi '7 is a section, taken on the line of Fig. Lei-lowing; mechanism bywhich the coulter frame is held in adjusted position.

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the'line- 8- 8 of Fig. 1, showingatowinghook or eye anda bolt by which the hook is coupled to the coulter frame.

Fig. 9' is a section taken. on the line 9-4! of Fig. l showingthemannenin which-.theE-plowshare is attachedto a pivoted plowshare. beamwhichfunctions toadjust the plowshare to raised and lowered positions,and

Fig.- 10 is: an;elevationalg= view showing gusset plates associated withthe coulter; and provided withv openings through-which. a bolt isinserted to maintain the coulter in a desired adjusted positioncorresponding to-the position in which the plowshare is held.

Themachine is shown in the drawings as having a chassis includingparallel lon itudinally extending channel members 5. These members arecarried on an axle 6 which is mounted upon suitable wheels'l; and acoulter frame supported .on wheels extends forwardly of, the chassis aswill be presently described. The axle extends through a pair of angleclips, 8 which are, welded to the undersides of each of thechannel-members 5. Each of the channel members carries aweight 9,andthese weights-may be positioned between the angle irons secured tothe members 5- as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. Theseweights providepressure to assist-in the entranceand-maintenance of a plowshare H) inthe: ground. The plowshare includes a number of component. portions, andthe wearingparts may be readily replaced without replacing the wholplowshare. The plowshare is pi-votallymounted between the, channelmembers 5, 5-aswill be: later described in detail. A plate H is weldedor otherwise secured to each of the outer sides of the channel members5, 5, and corresponding openings I2 are provided through each of these;plates 1 l l for the reception of a pin Hi.- This pin is: shown inFig. 2in carried position, and in igs, 1 and 9 in operating position,extending through ,the openings 2 to hold the plowsharev It) at adesired depth in the ground. Graduations are provided adjacent each ofthe openings to indicate the extent of these depths. The plowshare, It)will be set at a predetermined: depth and thissetting will correspond tothat at which the coulter frame, to be later described,.is.a-ls0 set.The setting of the plowshare and coulter frame in correspondingpositions will cause the plowshare to-form furrows parallel to thesurface ofthe ground.

A supporting frame is carriedon the channel members 5,. 5 andconsistsofapair of parallel channel members l4, (Figs 1,, 2 and 9):, which arepositioned toward the rear of the chassis, and another pair of parallelchannel members l", [5 which are positioned toward the front of thechassis. Thesepairsof channel members he in positions inclined towardeach other, and the upper ends ofthe members M, M abut like ends of themembers l5, l5; as shown-in Figs. 1 and 2. The members l4, IS oneach-sideof the chassis together with each of their associatedlongitudinal channel members 5 form a substantially triangularstructure. Transversely extending rods or pipes l6, 16 pass between thechannel members l5, l5 and serve as spacers therefor. Rearwardlyextending supporting plates H, H are carried on the channel members l4,[4 near their upper extremities, and brackets 18 are provided on theends of said plates. These brackets carry a pair of parallel guiderollers IS, IS and also an additional guide roller 20 which lie beneaththe rollers 19, IS. The wire which is to be placed in the furrow formedby the plowshare, as it travels along the ground, passes through theseguide rollers, as will be presently described. Another pair ofsupporting plates 2|, '2! is carried on the upper ends of the channelmembers [4, I5 (Figs. 1 and 2) and provide brackets on which a reel 22is mounted. This reel-may carry a shield or other protective wir whichis placed in the furrow simultaneously with the wire or conductor whichpasses through the guide rollers l9 and 20 just referred to. A pair ofchannel plates 23, 23 is welded or otherwise secured near the upper endsof the channel members l5, l5. The plates 23, 23 project forwardly fromthe channel members l5, l5 and a sheave 24 is journaled between saidplates. A rope 25 passes over the sheave 24, and guards are providedover the sheave to maintain the rope in position. One end of the rope issecured to a thimble carried on a transverse pin 26 (Fig. 9) which ismounted in openings in the channel members 21, 21', and extends betweenthe inner ends thereof. The channel members 21', 2'! (Figs. 1, 2 and 9)are Welded at the top of the plowshare beam channel members 21, 21.These members 21, 21 form the sides of the plowshare beam to be laterdescribed. The other end of the rope 25 is wound on the drum of a winch28. This winch is carried on supporting plates 23, 29 which extendoutwardly from flanges of the channel members I5, I 5. Teeth are cut inthe periphery of one of the flanges of the winch 28 which engage with'apawl 30, and this pawl may be placed in engaged and disengaged positionsby a rod in the usual manner. The shaft 29" of the winch is journaled inthe plates 29, 29 and a spacer is provided about the shaft and extendsoutwardly from the winch The winch 28 is adapted to be This wrench has atooth portion which engages the peripheral teeth on the flange ofthe-winch 28, and it also has an elongated opening through which thewinch shaft passes. This opening permits movement of the wrench on theshaft to engage or disengage the peripheral teeth. The operation of thewinch lowers and raises the plowshare beam and its attached. plowshare.It! in an obvious manner.

A second winch 28- is mounted on the rear of the channel members 5, 5 ofthe plow frame or chassis, and functions to assist in forcing theplowshare l into the ground after it has been lowered thereto by thefront winch, 2 8. .The winch 28 is similar in construction to the winch28 positioned at the front of the plow and just described. The shaft forthe winch 23' is journaled between thechannel members 5, and is operatedby a lever socket wrench in the same manner as previously described inconnection with. the front winch 28. A rope 25 passes from about thedrum of the winch 28' and thence .around a sheave 24, which is carriedon a bracket .23 mounted on the channel members 5, 5.

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thimble carried on a transverse pin 26', which extends between thechannel members 21, 21 of the plowshare beam (Figs. 1 and 9). The winch28' is shown in Fig. 1 in operating position or in position to aid inforcing the plowshare I0 into the ground. The pawl and ratchet mechanismof the winch 28' must first be released to permit the front winch 28 tooperate and raise the plowshare beam. The pawl and ratchet mechanism ofthe front winch 28 has to be similarly released to permit the operationof the rear winch 28'.

A gusset plate 32 is attached to each of the channel members 5, I5-5,l5, and a spacer pipe extends between these plates (Fig. 3). A series ofcorresponding openings is provided through each of the gusset plates anda transversely extending bolt 33 '(Fig. 3) passes through these openingsand serves to provide a pivotal connection between the plow frame andthe coulter frame. This bolt 33 also pivotally connects the channelmembers 21, 2] of theplowshare beam with the channel members 5, 5 of thechassisor plowshare frame. The coulter frame includestwo parallelchannel members 34, 34 carried on suitable wheels 35, 35 which aremounted on an axle 36 and the axle '36 carries two plate members 37, 31.Each of these plate members comprises an elongated portion which isattached at its midpoint to the axle 36, and beams 31', 31? ex,- tendingat right angles'from the top of these elongated portions provide ananchorage for the ends of the springs 38. The other ends of thesesprings are anchored to a transverse rod which extends between the.angle clip members 39 mounted on the channel members 34 (Figs. 1 and7). The lower ends ofthe elongated portions 31 havea shaft which carriesa coulter blade 40. A circular flange portion is provided on each sideof the coulter blade 40, and these flanges abut bosses 4| carried on theinner surfaces of the elongated portions 31., The flanges and Tbossesprovide spacers between theelements (Fig. 6)

When it is desired to adjust the coulter blade 43 to a carried position,the following operations are performed: J A wrench is-appliedtoa nut onan end of the axle 36. The nuts are welded on the axle and when they arerotated the axle is rotated, The plates, 31, 31 which are also welded orfixed on the axle 36, and under spring pressure, are rotated at thistime until the rod 42 is near a stop 44, which stop is mounted on oneofthe channel members 34. To permit the rod'42 to pass the stop 44, therod 42 must be pushed laterally or to the left as seen in Fig. 6. Therod 42 fits in openings in the .beam 3'! which extends at "right anglesto the elongated plates..3'l, 31 and the spring 43, which encircles therod, extends to. a pin 43 which passes through the rod 42." A

cotterpin or the like holds the rod 42 under '35, 35 and associatedequipment may be raised to ,a carried position in 'the' followingmanner: The bolt 33, which provides ajpivotal connection between theplow frameand the coulter frame, as p'reviouslydescribed, permitsthe-coulter frame to be swung" in an upward-direction until the openingsin the channel members of the coulter frame coincide with theopeningsWin the gusset plate32. A bolt fill is: introduced through theseopenings when the coulter frame isin the desired raised position (Figs.2, 'TandlO).

When it is desired to lower the coulter frame from its carried positionto an operating position, or in a position to forma furrow in theground, reverse operationsto those justdescribed are performed. Theseoperations areas follows: The bolt 47 is removed from itspositionthroughthe openings 46, thus causing the coulter frame, which is pivotallyconnected at 33, to collapse, so that the coulter wheels lie on theground. The axle 3B which carries plates 3?, 3? and also pin 42, isrotated by a wrench, and is moved slightly at thestart to relieve thepressure of the pin 42 against the stop 4d. The pin 42 is pushed to theleft manually until the end of said pin is flush or slightly inside ofthe plate 31 (which is positioned at the right in Fig. 6) to permit pin42 to pass the stop 44. The further rotation of the axle will cause theplates, 3'], 37, which are under spring pressure, to be brought againstthe stop 45'. This stop 45' comprises a transversely xtending rod whichis mounted in the parallel plates 45, fixed on the inside of the channelmembers 35, 34 of the coulter frame (Figs. 1 and 6). This stop 45permits the plates 31, 37 which carry the coulter blade 49, to be heldin a desired operating position in the ground.

A towing eye 48 is carried at the forward end of the coulter frame andlies between guides carried by a pair of horizontally positioned plates49 attached to the channel members 34, 35 (Fig. 8). A towing rope E3 isattached to a rectangular block lying under the towing eye, and thisrope is used when the machine is in plowing operation. A shear pin 5!passes between the plates 49 and the towing eye $8. This pin becomessheared off when the plowshare encounters any excessive strain or solidobstructions in the ground which may be met in the course of plowingoperations, thus releasing the towing eye from the coulter frame. Damageto the plowshare or frame is thus overcome.

The wire or other conductor which is to be fed into the trench or furrowin the ground is supplied from reels 52. These reels are positioned onsuitable bases or platforms 53. These platforms and associated structuremay be similar in design to the apparatus described and disclosed inPatent No. 2,184,912, dated December 26, 1939. The platform 53 ismounted at the rear of the chassis or plow frame and overhangs the sidesof the channel members. The reels 52 have an upright 56 associatedtherewith, and this upright is mounted on the same platform as thereels. The upright may have a cross-arm at the ends of which sheaves 55,55 are mounted.

The wire or other conductor carried by the reels may be drawn therefromsimultaneously and passes over the sheaves 55, 55 between the rollerguides it, over sheave 2B and enters a wire-guide tube '55. The tube 56is integral with and lies at the rear edge of the plowshare If). Theupper or receiving end of the tube 56 is flared, and the other or exitend of this tube lies substantially in alinement with the bottom of thefurrow formed by the plowshare so that as the wire or conductors emergefrom the tube they will be laid in the furrow in accordance with theadvance of the plow. The shield wirecar ri-edon the reel '22- may bealso laid. atthe: same time, andthis serves-to protect conductors fromelectrical disturbances.

Inthe operation-:of-the present arrangement therequired number ofconductors from the reels 52 and theshield wire from: the reel 22- arethreaded through the tube 56 The lock pin 13 which holds the plowsharein its'trailing position :is removed,.and the plowshare is lowered tothe ground by means of the frontend winch 28. The coulterframe is nowlowered from a carried position to an operating position by theoperations previously described. in this. connection.

The: plowing machinemay be -now' connected to: atruck-or other tractorby means of'the towing rope 50,: one end of which is connected to theshear pin 5i and the other end is connected to the truck. As the truckis started and tension is taken in the towing rope, the point of theplowshare IE! will start into the ground. As the plow moves forward thewinch 28 at the rear of the plow is operated to assist the plowshareinto the ground. As the machine advances, a furrow is formed by theplowshare at a depth determined by its setting, and wire or otherconductors passing through the guide tube from the reels, isautomatically fed into the formed furrow in accordance with the advanceof the machine.

The plow frame may be shifted on its axle by loosening the clamp boltsabout the axle and exerting pressure sidewise on the wheels to permitplowing close to obstructions such as rail fences, mail boxes or thelike.

The plowshare and coulter may be raised from their operating positionsto their carried positions in a manner previously outlined.

While the arrangements of this invention have been illustrated asembodied in certain specific forms which have been deemed desirable, itwill be understood that they are capable of embodimerit in many andwidely varied forms without departing from the spirit of the inventionas defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for forming furrows, including a frame, a plow beampivotally mounted on said frame and being provided with a plowshare, acoulter frame pivotally connected to said plow frame at the pivot pointof said plow beam, a coulter blade, supporting means for said bladepivotally associated with said coulter frame, means for adjusting saidplow beam to cause said plowshare to plow at selected depths, means foradjusting the height of said first mentioned pivot tending to exert arotary force thereon to auto matically maintain said blade at a selectedcutting depth regardless of the depth of plowing.

2. An apparatus for forming furrows including a frame, a plow beampivotally mounted on said frame and being provided with a plowshare, acoulter frame pivotally connected to said plow frame at the pivot pointof said plow beam, wheels for supporting said coulter frame, a coulterblade, supporting means for said blade pivotally associated with saidcoulter frame at a point in proximity to the supporting point of saidwheels, means for adjusting said plow beam to cause said plowshare toplow at selected depths, means for adjusting the height of saidfirst-mentioned pivot point to position the bottom of said plowshareparallel to the ground line at selected plowing depths, and spring meansassociated with said blade supporting means and operative to exert aforce tending to impart a rotary motion thereto for automaticallymaintaining said blade at a selected cutting depth regardless of thedepth of plowing.

plowing.

blade pivoted to the coulter wheel axle, said blade being sopositionedthat its axis isto the rear of the pivot point of saidsupporting means, means for adjusting said plowshare for selectedplowing depths, means for adjusting the height of said first-mentionedpivot point to position the bottom of said plowshare parallel to theground line at selected plowing depths, and spring means associated withsaid blade supporting means and operative automatically upon theadjustment of the height of said first-mentioned pivot point and uponthe resultant change in the angular position of said coulter and plowframes to maintain said coulter blade at a selected cutting depthregardless of the depth of ALBERT EDWARD

